Madelaine’s chest cracked wide open. She could relate all too well to all the doubt and resentment. Although she never wavered in her beliefs because she sought solace in the Lord, there had been times when she’d questioned things herself. “I understand.”
“The sad thing is, he not only blamed himself and God,” she continued. “He also directed his anger at other people. His father-in-law, Timothy, was the only survivor of the attack, but Luke blamed him for not saving his family, too. Isabelle was Timothy’s only daughter, and he loved her more than anything. After her death, he was so very heartbroken himself Luke’s accusations became all too much, and he couldn’t take it anymore. So, he left the ranch.”
“Timothy? Is this Timothy Richards?” Madelaine asked, hopeful. Evelyn nodded, looking at her friend with a curious expression. “He was my father’s childhood friend, and I had hoped to find him, to speak to him about helping me get my parents’ ranch back, but I guess that is no longer an option.”
“Maybe I can write to him and ask him, if you’d like?” Evelyn suggested.
“Write to him? What do you mean?”
“I still write to Timothy, sometimes. Isabelle was my best friend, and I loved her father. He is such a nice man. And he always replies.”
Hope bloomed in Madelaine’s heart. “It would be wonderful if you could write to him for me. I don’t know if he’ll remember us all, but he and my father were very close when they were younger.”
“Consider it done,” Evelyn confirmed. “I’ll write to him tonight. But first, we need to get you ready for the wedding.”
Madelaine sat back down on the chair, and Evelyn continued braiding her hair.
“I do believe that you will be good for him, you know?” she said after a moment of quiet contemplation. “Luke needs help to step out of this dark place he’s in, so he can rekindle his faith and his love for God. I am almost certain that you, Belle, and Simon will be the ones who bring him back. I just know it.”
Madelaine felt so much lighter, and for some reason she couldn’t explain, she began to look forward to today.
It was at that moment Belle and Simon came bouncing into the room. Both women greeted them with smiling faces.
“Maddie! Maddie! Look! We made you a wedding bucket!” Simon announced ever so proudly as he presented her with a pile of small branches and twigs.
Simon handed her the odd little pile, and it was then that Madelaine realized what he was talking about. The lush green pine twigs, including their little cones, and some softer branches bearing bright red winter berries had been tied together with a string, which had then been tied into a bow.
“Wedding bucket… Do you mean a weddingbouquet?” she enquired cautiously.
“That’s it!” Simon yelled and laughed at himself.
Madelaine was deeply moved, and she had to wipe a tear from the corner of her eye.
Shortly after Evelyn had finished her hair, she fiercely hugged Madelaine one more time. “Are you ready?” she asked.
“I am ready,” Madelaine confirmed, holding up her wedding bouquet.
Evelyn nodded, then left the room with Belle and Simon in tow.
Standing in her room alone, Madelaine suddenly felt nervous. She fought with every ounce of strength in her body not to break down at the last minute.
She couldn’t shake the uneasy feelings because she was not getting married in a church. Her mind was racing. Wasn’t this just another betrayal against God?
Was she betraying everything she believed in, just because it seemed easier in the moment? Did she even have a choice at this point? Belle and Simon were fully invested in her getting married today.
She inhaled a shaky breath and straightened her shoulders. She needed to do one more thing before she could get married. She needed to pray.
“Heavenly Father. I humbly come before You, asking for Your guidance and forgiveness on this important day. Help me find my inner strength to face the challenges that lie ahead. Please grant me the clarity to make the right decisions. And please, Lord, let your light illuminate Luke’s heart once more. He needs You more than any of us. Amen.”
Picking up the bouquet Belle and Simon had so lovingly made for her once more, Madelaine finally felt good about her decision.
Swallowing hard, she stepped into the large living area. Everyone was there waiting for her.
Luke and the priest stood in front of the large picture window. Warm sunlight filtered through it, brightening the room with a glowing light. Caleb stood next to Luke, while Evelyn stood next to the priest, holding Belle on her arm. Simon hovered next to her, half-hiding in the folds of her skirt as he eyed up the clergyman.
Father David Caroll wasn’t unfamiliar to them, since he’d baptized all three of them when they’d been babies, and they’d seen him regularly when the Peterson family had visited his church on Sundays. Madelaine hadn’t attended a sermon since the deaths of her parents; therefore, neither had Simon and Belle. She felt a little awkward about it, but Father David greeted her with a bright smile as soon as she walked in.
“Madelaine! It’s good to see you, child!” he exclaimed with a warm smile.
